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The Year of Tony Bennett

An Appreciation of the Art and Music of Tony Bennett

September 10, 2013 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Penthouse Serenade

The song of the day for Tuesday, September 10, 2013 is “Penthouse Serenade.”

About This Song

“Penthouse Serenade” is one the classic Depression-era songs with the yearning for the glamorous Manhattan apartment by the poor, yet romantic, couple. It was written in 1931 by Val Burton and Will Jason. The first known use of “Penthouse Serenade” was for the 1933 animated short Betty Boop’s Penthouse, where it was sung by Mae Questel. Nat “King” Cole recorded “Penthouse Serenade” in 1952.

About This Version

“Penthouse Serenade” is from one of Tony Bennett’s finest, and yet relatively obscure albums: Hometown, My Town. Released in 1959, it was one of the early concept albums, with a series of six songs that tell the story a young man living in Manhattan who finds a girl and then loses her. The arc of these six albums are masterful.

The entire album was arranged by Ralph Burns, a noted jazz arranger who worked with Bennett on several albums including This Is All I Ask and Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool.

Hometown, My Town is one my very favorite Tony Bennett albums, and “Penthouse Serenade” is one of the best songs on this album.

http://open.spotify.com/track/4fqH8vY5L35o48z2H5RAHm
“Penthouse Serenade,” as well as the album Hometown, My Town, is available from iTunes.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: Hometown, My Town, Ralph Burns, Val Burton, Will Jason

August 23, 2012 By Suzanne Leave a Comment

Song of the Day: Love Is Here to Stay

The Song of the Day for August 23, 2012 is Love Is Here to Stay.

About Love Is Here to Stay

Written by George and Ira Gershwin, Love Is Here to Stay is popular jazz and popular song standard. It was written for the 1938 movie The Goldwyn Follies, which was released after George Gershwin’s untimely death. Originally, the song was called It’s Here to Stay, but later changed to  Our Love Is Here to Stay. However, it was finally published as Love Is Here to Stay. The song was the main theme for the 1955 film American in Paris. It has been sung by numerous artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Blossom Dearie, and even Barry Manilow and Brian Wilson.

About This Version

This version is from Tony Bennett’s 1959 album, Hometown, My Town. The album is an ode to New York and is among Mr. Bennett’s best. It is certainly a favorite at The Year of Tony Bennett.

Filed Under: Song of the Day Tagged With: George Gershwin, Hometown, Ira Gershwin, My Town

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